Libya
66. Memorandum for the Record
This meeting discussed Libya and examined certain aspects of Option 1A.
Source: National Security Council Files, Nixon Intelligence Files, Libya. Secret; Eyes Only.
67. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to the Deputy Director for Plans of the Central Intelligence Agency (Karamessines)
Johnson sent a memorandum presenting the Department’s views on Option 1A following consultation with Ambassador Joseph Palmer.
Source: National Security Council Files, Nixon Intelligence Files, Libya. Secret.
68. Memorandum From Samuel Hoskinson of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Hoskinson alerted Kissinger to a plot by Libyan exiles to release Idriss loyalists from prison.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Top Secret. Sent for information. The attached list of cables is not printed.
69. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore) to Secretary of State Rogers
Moore submitted to Rogers an action memorandum on the various views within the administration on F–5 sales to Libya.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. The paper was drafted by Blake, and cleared by PM/MAS, NEA, and H. In telegram 196791 to Tripoli, Tunis, and USCINCEUR, December 9, the Department explained that it saw no way to deliver the F–5s to Libya for later transfer to a third party. (Ibid.)
70. Memorandum From the Special Assistant to the Deputy Director for Plans of the Central Intelligence Agency (Critchfield) to the Director of Current Intelligence (Parmenter)
Critchfield informed Parmenter that a critical point in relations with Libya might be approaching.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, DDI Files, Job 79–01229A, Box 1, AA–1, AF DIV, 1971. Secret. The attachment is not printed. The memorandum has Critchfield’s typed signature with an indication he signed the original.
71. Telegram 373 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State
Prime Minister Mu’ammar al-Qadhafi assured the Ambassador that there were no outstanding issues between Libya and the United States apart from the Arab-Israel dispute.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 LIBYA. Secret; Priority; Exdis. It was repeated to Benghazi. In the referenced telegram 4025 to Tripoli, January 9, the Department had advised that the “consensus is that fulfillment [of the F–5] contract difficult justify in terms current Libyan posture toward Middle East peace initiative, their present attitude toward US and US interests in Libya, and generally poor prospects for any marked improvement.” Paragraph 3 dealt with expulsions of American citizens from Libya and paragraph 4 with the petroleum negotiations. (Ibid., DEF 12–5 LIBYA) In telegram 185 from Tripoli, January 26, Palmer discussed the F–5s with MUFA Undersecretary Kikhya. (Ibid.) In a subsequent comment, telegram 381 from Tripoli, February 24, Palmer wrote that there was “nothing new” in Qadhafi’s emphasis on the U.S.-Israeli relationship, but that he was struck by the Libyan leader’s commitment to non-alignment, his pragmatism, and the cordiality of his reception. (Ibid.)
72. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Saunders recommended against the sale of F–5s to Libya, arguing that the Libyan Government would be unfriendly no matter what Washington did.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Secret. Sent for action. Although Richard Kennedy registered his dissent in an attached memorandum, Kissinger initialed his agreement on March 30.
73. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon
Kissinger apprised Nixon of the current state of play on the oil negotiations with Libya.
Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 293, Memoranda to the President, December 1970—April 1971. Secret. Sent for information. A March 31 notes reads “The President has seen.”
74. National Intelligence Estimate 36.5–71
The paper drew conclusions about likely developments in Libyan policy, particularly in foreign affairs.
Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79–R01012A, Box 418. Secret. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Department of State, Defense, and NSA participated in the preparations of this estimate. The Director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB with the exception of the representatives of the AEC and FBI who abstained on the grounds that it was outside their jurisdiction. Pages six and seven, not published, featured a map.
75. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore) to Secretary of State Rogers
Moore advised that the Secretary decline to sell Libya the remaining F–5s, but express the Department’s willingness to provide support for those already delivered.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. Sent for Action. Rogers initialed the option in the first paragraph “to delay further.” Drafted by Newsom and Blake; and cleared by NEA, PM, and L. The attachment is not printed.
76. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Saunders updated Kissinger on the status of an internal plot against the Libyan regime.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for information. The attachment is not printed.
77. Memorandum
The CIA provided a status report on Libyan developments.
Source: National Security Council Files, Nixon Intelligence Files, Libya. Secret; Eyes Only. The May 24 covering memorandum from Hoskinson to Kissinger is not printed.
78. Airgram A–6 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya
The Department forwarded a Policy Planning Paper for Libya as approved by the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Africa.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 LIBYA–US. Secret;Noforn. Covering airgram was drafted by Edward W. Holmes (AF/NSC) and approved by Carter. The annexes are not printed.
79. Memorandum From Secretary Laird to Secretary Rogers
Laird recommended to Rogers that the United States allow a Spanish firm to sell F–5Bs to Libya.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret.
80. Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore) to Acting Secretary of State Irwin
Moore notified the Acting Secretary that Libya had nationalized a subsidiary of British Petroleum, which shared a concession with an American firm.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PET 15–2 LIBYA. Confidential. Drafted by Clark and cleared by E/ORF/FSE, EUR/BMI, and AF/N. Intelligence Note RAFN—60, December 9, described the nationalization as part of a long-term Libyan plan for resolving financial claims against the United Kingdom, but added that the timing was determined by Iran’s recent occupation of Persian Gulf islands, for which Tripoli blamed London. (Ibid., POL LIBYA–UK)
81. Letter From Secretary of State Rogers to Secretary of Defense Laird
Rogers disagreed with Laird’s position on permitting a Spanish firm to sell F–5Bs to Libya.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret.
82. Information Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore), the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Resources and Food Policy (Katz), and the Assistant Secretary for European Affairs (Hillenbrand) to Secretary of State Rogers
The memorandum advised Rogers of U.S. agreement to a British request for support in its dèmarches to major oil-consuming countries, urging them not to purchase oil from the former British Petroleum concession.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, PET 15–2 LIBYA. Secret. Drafted by Robert Pelletreau (AF/N) and Gordon Brown (E/ORF/FSE); and cleared by AF/N, AF, E/ORF/FSE, L, and EUR/BMI.
83. Letter From the Ambassador to Libya (Palmer) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom)
Palmer conveyed his deepening concern at the U.S. postponement of a decision on military sales to Libya.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret; Limdis; Official—Informal. The tabs are not printed.
84. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to the Ambassador to Libya (Palmer)
Newsom advised Palmer of the Secretary’s belief that while a negative decision could provoke a reaction from Libya, the absence of a decision would not.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret; Official; Informal. The letter is an unsigned copy.
85. Memorandum From the Counsel to the President (Dean) to the Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Haig)
Dean warned Haig that the Libyan Government planned to loan three million dollars interest-free to the Nation of Islam.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Secret. The Libyan Government gave its grant to the Nation of Islam on May 8. (Ibid.)
86. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Eliot notified Kissinger of the termination of U.S.-Libyan bilateral agreements dating from the previous regime.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Confidential.
87. Letter From Secretary of Defense Laird to Secretary of State Rogers
Laird again presented arguments in favor of State’s approval for the sale of aircraft to Libya.
Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files, FRC 75–0125, Box 14, Libya 000.1—1972. Secret.
88. Action Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (Spiers) to Secretary of State Rogers
Since Rogers had decided again to hold the F–5 question in abeyance, Spiers prompted the Secretary to notify Laird and the Spanish Foreign Minister, who had requested approval of the sales to Libya.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA. Secret. Drafted by Chris C. Pappas, Jr. (PM/MAS); and cleared by PM/MAS, AF/N, NEA/PA, EUR/SPP, and AF. The attachments are not printed, but Rogers sent the letters to Laird and Minister of Foreign Affairs Gregorio Lopez Bravo on April 13. (Ibid.)
89. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom) to Acting Secretary of State Richardson
Newsom advised Richardson that the Libyan Government had requested a reduction of the size of the U.S. mission to fourteen from thirty-five.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 19–8 US–LIBYA. Confidential.
90. Action Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of State (Irwin) to Secretary of State Rogers
Irwin provided a memorandum for the Secretary on ways to manage relations with Libya that would protect American oil investments.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL LIBYA–US. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Newsom. According to a memorandum to Irwin from Robert Smith, the agreement between Egypt and Libya involved a plan for political unification of Egypt and Libya by September 1, 1973. (Ibid.)
91. Memorandum From Harold Saunders of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Saunders asked Kissinger if the pressure from oil companies was sufficient to warrant the sale of the F–5s to Libya, which remained a major irritant in U.S.-Libyan relations.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action.
92. Memorandum From Samuel M. Hoskinson of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Hoskinson inquired whether Kissinger would like to override Rogers’ view that there should be no change in U.S. arms policy towards Libya.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 739, Country Files, Africa, Libya, Vol. II. Secret; Sensitive. Sent for action. Kissinger approved the recommendation. In an October 18 memorandum, Newsom asked whether, given Libya’s interventionism in other countries and merger with Egypt, stricter controls should be imposed on the sale of U.S. spare parts. Irwin agreed. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 12–5 LIBYA)
93. Telegram 189100 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Libya
The Department conveyed a memorandum of conversation between the Secretary and the Libyan Foreign Minister, in which the former fended off demands for the contracted F–5s by inquiring about Libyan plans for the aircraft.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL LIBYA–US. Secret;Exdis. It was repeated to Cairo, Tel Aviv, and USUN. Drafted by Connor (USUN); cleared by AF; and approved by Michael Habib (S/S).
94. Telegram 1699 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State
The Ambassador and Qadhafi had a tour d’horizon conversation in which the Libyan leader sent a message to the President.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 LIBYA. Secret; Priority.
95. Telegram 1849 From the Embassy in Libya to the Department of State
The telegram warned that the United States could expect overt discrimination from Libya due to its policy of support for Israel.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL LIBYA–US. Secret;Exdis. Also sent to Lagos. In telegram 199168, November 2, the Department instructed the Embassy not to broach the topic of the F–5s, but observed that Tripoli had neither been asked for, nor made, payments for the F–5s. (Ibid., DEF 12–5 LIBYA)